What is the best method of detecting breast cancer as early as possible?
Getting a high-quality mammogram and having a clinical breast exam (an exam done by a health care provider) on a regular basis are the most effective ways to detect breast cancer early. Like any test, mammograms have both benefits and limitations. For example, some cancers cannot be detected by a mammogram, but may be found by breast examination. Checking one’s own breasts for lumps or other unusual changes is called breast self-exam (BSE). Studies so far have not shown that BSE alone reduces the number of deaths from breast cancer. BSE should not take the place of routine clinical breast exams and mammograms.
Mammograms are the best available method to detect breast cancer in its earliest, most treatable stage. However, mammograms are not perfect and can miss some cancers. A woman should not ignore something she feels because her mammogram is normal. Changes can be especially difficult to spot in dense, glandular breast of a younger woman. This is why women of all ages should have a clinical breast exam (an exam done by a health care provider) every year. Beginning at age 20, women should check their own breasts monthly. Checking one’s own breasts for lumps or other unusual changes is called breast self-exam. A breast self-exam should not take the place of clinical breast exam and mammography. Women should do breast self-exams five to 10 days after the first day of their periods or on the first day of her birth control pill pack. Pregnant women and those who have passed menopause should do breast self-exams on the same day each month. If you find a lump and it is something new or unusual an
